The Enrolment Process

Things to consider before registering your child on the waitlist:

• • Denzil Don Kindergarten is not part of Merri-bek central enrolments and is not zoned.
  • Places are allocated using the Priority of Access criteria, as follows:
    1. Government Priority of Access children.
    2. Current Denzil Don children requiring a second year, or progressing from 3-year-old to 4-year-old kinder.
    3. Siblings of past attendees.
    4. Children who were offered and deferred a place in the previous year.
    5. Merri bek children by proximity to the kindergarten.
    6. Non Merri bek children by proximity to the kindergarten. 
  • Waitlist positions can change if higher-priority applications are received.  
  • A $25 non‑refundable fee applies and does not guarantee an Offer. Commencing 2027, all attending 3-year-old families (and second-year children) will be required to register for 2028, including paying the registration fee.
  • We operate during school terms only and are closed during term breaks.
  • At the beginning of the year we have a short Orientation period, which includes a family–teacher meeting, and one shorter session with half the class. Full‑time hours (including After Kinder Care) commence from Week 3 of Term 1.
  • The first two-three days of Term 1 are child‑free days, allocated for annual planning and set‑up under our workplace agreement.

Placing your child on the waitlist:

• 3-year-old kindergarten: 
  • Your child must turn three before 30 April in the year you wish them to attend.
  • For children turning three between January and April (considered 'young-threes'), please read our advice on waiting until the following year to register them. Starting kinder as a 'young three' means starting school at four. Research shows better outcomes for children who wait.  
  • Young 3's cannot attend kinder until the first session after their third birthday.
  • 2026: we are currently FULL.
  • 2027: We may have a handful of spaces coming up shortly. If you would like the opportunity to receive an Offer, please complete a Waitlist Registration Form below.  
  • For older 3-year-old children only (those born in January, February, March and April 2023), we have opportunities for your child to enrol in our 4-year-old program, in a multi-age setting. Multi-age learning provides many benefits including:
    • Opportunity to learn alongside older peers
    • To observe and develop social skills scaffolded by older children
    • Build confidence and independence
    • Be in an environment where older children are modelling communication skills that will build on the younger child’s communication and problem solving skills and cooperative play skills.
    • Our teachers will provide individualised support and encouragement to ensure your child feels comfortable, included, and confident within the program.
    • If  your child fits the date of birth requirements and you are interested in enrolling them in a multi-age environment, please register them below, and send a note to our Centre Coordinator at admin@denzildonkinder.org.au 
  • Please click here to place your child on the waitlist. You can contact us anytime to check your child's waitlist position.
• 4-year-old kindergarten: 
  • Your child must must turn four before 30 April in the year you wish them to attend. 
  • 2026: we are currently FULL. 
  • 2027: we have a handful of places available in our program for 2027. Please register your child on the waitlist if you are interested in accessing a place. If you would like a tour of the centre, please contact our Centre Coordinator on admin@denzildonkinder.org.au   

  • Please click here to place your child on the waitlist. You can contact us anytime to check your child's waitlist position.

Booking a tour:

• We encourage families with a child eligible to commence no earlier than 2027, to book a kindergarten tour.
• Tours are available Tuesday and Wednesday during term 2 and 3 only.
• Click here to book a kindergarten tour for children that will attend in 2027 only.

The Offer process:

• First round offers for 2028 will be sent Friday 30 July 2027. 
• Families have four days to respond after which, we return to the waitlist and repeat this process until all places are filled.
• If a place becomes available during the year, it will be offered to the next child on the waitlist, following the same process.

For any further questions about enrolment, please email admin@denzildonkinder.org.au or call 9380 8420.

Fees 

Kindergarten is free for all children. Free kindergarten supports Victorian children to access two years of a high‑quality education before starting school.

After Kinder Care (AKC)

We offer After Kinder Care (AKC) for families requiring additional hours outside of the free program. AKC is not part of free kinder. You can read more about AKC here.